Jaffa News

Jumbo Home
Loans Set Hot Pace

The Wall Street Journal

By most measures, the housing market's recovery has been slow. But private-market “jumbo” mortgages are making a much faster comeback.

Private-market jumbo loans accounted for about 15 percent of the total dollar amount of mortgages distributed by Bank of America Corp. during the second quarter of 2012, up from 4 percent a year earlier, said a spokesman for the bank. At Wells Fargo & Co., private jumbo volume more than doubled in the first half of the year from the same period last year, according to Brad Blackwell, portfolio business manager for the bank's home-mortgage unit. Citigroup, Inc., also said it has increased jumbo lending.

S&P / Case-Shiller Home
Price Indices all rise in 2Q 2012

Metrointelligence Real Estate & Economics Advisors

Data through June 2012, released today by S&P Dow Jones Indices for its S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices, the leading measure of U.S. home prices, showed that all three headline composites ended the second quarter of 2012 with positive annual growth rates for the first time since the summer of 2010. The national composite was up 1.2 percent in the second quarter of 2012 versus the second quarter of 2011, and was up 6.9 percent versus the first quarter of 2012. The 10- and 20-City Composites posted respective annual returns of 0.1 percent increase and 0.5 percent increase in June 2012. Month-over-month, average home prices in the 10-City Composite were up 2.2 percent and in the 20-City Composite were up 2.3 percent versus May. For the second consecutive month, all 20 cities and both Composites recorded positive monthly gains.

Interiors

2012 Park City Showcase of Homes!

We hope you had a chance to visit our home in the Park City Showcase of Homes. If not please enjoy this view of the living room and foyer. Don't worry; we will have a full home tour on the website soon!

Of the comments we received during the showcase, one we heard frequently was our decision to use white paint throughout the home. White might possibly be the new black, beige and grey. It invites all the other elements within the home to stand on their own; this allowed us greater opportunities in our selection for other aspects from stone and countertop selection to furniture and accessories.

All the furniture for the home is unique; typically furniture is “cast” as in film, with the support characters allowing the star to shine. In this home we've done the complete opposite. Every piece is essentially a sculpture, capable of carrying their particular storyline.

Another comment we heard frequently was in regard to the art in the home. The homeowners have been collecting art throughout their lifetime and these white walls drew attention to the art, rather than having the art blend with the rest of the home. This is reflected in the colors throughout the home, while the art is colorful and vibrant, the furnishings are achromatic.

This home is a true testament to custom home design, building, furnishing and decoration. You feel the characteristics of the homeowner reflected in every corner of every space.

Architectural Feature

THE HOME DEPOT + LEED

The LEED rating system is the most recognized international standard for green buildings and stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

LEED for Homes measures green building performance across a range of categories, and products play an important role in achieving certification. Through a long standing relationship with the U.S, Green Building Council, The Home Depot now maintains an active database of products that may contribute towards LEED points and prerequisites. Currently, more than 2,500 products sold at The Home Depot meet LEED specifications. When taking on an ambitious green home project, count on The Home Depot to fulfill all your product needs. Together, The Home Depot and the U.S. Green Building Council help you build a better quality of life.

Learn More

Green Product / Recycle News

Non-Toxic Finishers and Sealers

Many common household materials such as manufactured floors, pressboard, and vinyl contain chemicals that emit dangerous fumes. This process, known as outgassing, can be alleviated by properly laminating the materials surface to seal in the offending gases. In some cases, you may want to strip away an existing finish. However, most commercial sealants and strippers are made of harmful, toxic chemicals. Green Home finishes and sealers are far less toxic than what you might find at the local hardware store, and can provide a safer alternative when a surface needs to be treated.

Testimonial

“Beantown Painting wishes to thank the Jaffa Group for the opportunity to work together in the construction of the award winning green home in the 2009 Parade of Homes. Together we have formed a long lasting relationship both with the builders and subcontractors who have all done outstanding work! Throughout the years of our working together, the Jaffa Group has always demanded and received the highest quality of work to please their clients. We at Beantown Painting look forward to grow together with the Jaffa Group.”

~ Nancy Norcross, Beantown Painting